Impact of Blue-Cut and Anti-Reflective Coating on Contrast Sensitivity and Color Vision: A Review

Abstract

Background: Blue light (400–500 nm) has raised concerns regarding retinal photochemical stress, and blue-cut (blue-filtering) spectacle lenses and anti-reflective (AR) coatings are increasingly used to reduce glare and improve visual comfort; however, their functional effects on contrast sensitivity and color vision remain debated. Objective: To synthesize evidence on the impact of blue-cut lenses and AR coatings on contrast sensitivity and color discrimination outcomes in adults under photopic, mesopic, scotopic, and glare conditions. Methods: This narrative review searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for English-language studies published between 2011 and 2025 evaluating blue-filtering spectacle lenses, AR-coated lenses, commercially available blue-blocking filters, or blue-filtering intraocular lenses and reporting objective contrast sensitivity and/or color vision outcomes. Results: Most included studies reported no clinically meaningful change in contrast sensitivity with moderate blue-cut filtration across photopic and glare conditions, including studies using AULCSF-based metrics over repeated time points. In contrast, color discrimination outcomes were more sensitive to short-wavelength attenuation, with several studies demonstrating subtle impairment in blue–yellow discrimination or reduced color contrast sensitivity, particularly with stronger blue filtering and under mesopic or low-contrast conditions. Conclusion: Blue-cut spectacle lenses and AR coatings generally preserve contrast sensitivity in most testing conditions, but stronger blue attenuation may modestly reduce blue–yellow color discrimination. These trade-offs should be considered in individuals with high color-critical occupational demands, and standardized spectral reporting and harmonized testing protocols are needed to strengthen clinical guidance.